By TIM JOHNSON
             Herald Staff Writer

             CARACAS -- In the World According to Hugo Chavez, Venezuelans suffer from
             high cholesterol, must focus more on their ``inner child,'' and better pay their taxes.

             In return, he'll help develop more sports programs, build lots of low-cost housing,
             and lead the country out of its malaise.

             All this came out in a two-hour news conference Chavez offered late Sunday after
             learning that he had won the presidential election.

             In his major points, Chavez said:

               The government has far too many workers. ``There are Venezuelan state entities
             that could function with a third of their employees.''

               Government tax collectors will work hard to bring down a rate of tax evasion of
             60 percent. ``To not pay taxes is a social crime. . . . He who doesn't pay taxes will
             go to jail.''

               Venezuela's $55 billion foreign debt must be renegotiated. ``We will pay the
             debt. Yes. But we simply cannot keep paying like we do now. . . . Almost 30
             percent of the national budget goes in debt-servicing.''

               The armed forces may get involved in creating sports programs around the
             country, in part to whip into shape those Venezuelans who pack in the
             high-cholesterol food.

               The new Congress, which starts its session Jan. 23, must act by Feb. 15 to
             convoke a referendum on electing an assembly to write a new constitution.
             Otherwise, Chavez said, he'll sign a decree calling the referendum anyway.

               Venezuela has a shortage of one million housing units. If all goes well, Chavez
             said, he'll reduce that to 500,000.

               Venezuelans can expect a raise soon. ``We have to look for a fair salary. It can't
             be that a worker receives a salary of 100,000 bolivars ($174) when basic
             foodstuffs cost 220,000 bolivars, according to official statistics.''

               He no longer has enemies. ``In my heart, there is no room for feelings of
             vengeance, or even a pinch of hate. A true leader has to be above this.''
 

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